Surgical splint



Oct. 15, 1946. w .1. CRAWFORD SURGICAL SPLINT Filed June 22, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l' mw N Oct. l5, 1946. w. J. CRAWFORD SURGICAL SPLINT Filed June 22, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 paavveysA Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufaotured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to surgical splints of the type designed for splinting injured limbs or other parts of the human body for the purpose of supporting and immobilizing the injured part.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a surgical splint of the class described which is particularly designed for use by laymen unskilled in the arts of surgery and medicine in order to render first aid to an injured person pending the arrival of a physician or surgeon.

A further principal object of the invention is to provide a surgical splint of the class described which may be made out of pliant material of sufficient thickness for the purpose so that it may be transported in flat condition prior to use for its intended purpose and then folded to the desired splint shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical splint of the type mentioned which comprises a flat sheet of pliant material scored to dene various panel and ilap sections designed to assist the rst aider in forming the desired splint shape wherein the panel and flap sections are so arranged as to enable them to cooperate in several different ways for the purposes of different types of splints.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical splint of the type mentioned wherein the panel and ap sections comprising the same are so arranged that the several cooperative relationships of Which the same are capable are each adapted to form splints capable of splinting different parts of the human body.

The importance of rendering prompt and proper first aid assistance to injured persons is Well recognized. Proper first aid assistance is often responsible not only for saving of lives but also for reducing the convalescence period of the injured person. In the case of bone fractures such as of the arms, legs, ankles, feet, neck, back or other parts of the human body, it is particularly important that the splint be properly applied as soon as possible. Lack of splinting or improperly applied splints may greatly increase the time required for knitting of the fractured bone or add to the difficulties of the surgeon in proper setting of the same whereas prompt and proper application of splints may render the performance by the physician or surgeon of a further setting operation unnecessary, reduce the time required for the bones to knit, and eliminate permanent disabilities which often occur as a result of lack of splinting or improper application of splints.

One of the diiculties heretofore involved in the performance of splinting by a layman arose from the fact that each particular injury to a part of the human body required the application of a little different technique and the use of a little different form of splint in each case so that extensive knowledge on the partof the layman Was heretofore required for the accomplishment of proper splinting. Prefabricated splints heretofore available have usually either been designed and suitable for only limited use or have been of such complicated or expensive construction as to render them not generally available or not practicable for use by unskilled laymen. The fact that such prefabricated splints usually have been designed for only one particular form of splint has necessitated the provision of several different splints to supply the requirements of various splint forms needed.

Primary objects of the invention, therefore, have been to simplify splinting technique, to reduce the number of different splint forms necessary, to design splint forms which could be standardized so that one splint form could be used for splinting various different injured parts of the human body, and to incorporate the various splint forms into a single unitary structure of simple and inexpensive construction capable of being transported in flat condition and folded or bent to the desired ultimate splint form upon the scene of the casualty by any inexperienced layman.

The splint of the invention generally comprises a sheet of inexpensive pliant material scored to define a main panel comprising a base panel section, main side panel Sections extending from either side of the base panel section, an end panel section extending from one end of the base panel section, and auxiliary side panel sections extending from either side of the end panel section. The auxiliary side panel sections are each scored to dene a flap section adapted for hinge movement relative to its respective auxiliary side panel section. The flap sections may be located so as to form parts of the respective auxiliary side panel sections either at corners of the sheet of material or at parts of the auxiliary side panel sections adjacent the respective main side panel sections. The location of the flap section in either case is designed to make possible the forming of the splint into one of several diierent splint forms, each of which is applicable to several diiferent splinting conditions, the respective diiferent splint forms to which the respective`differently located flap sections are applicable together covering the range of conditions encountered requiring the use of splints. Preferably, therefore, the auxiliary side panel sections of the sheet of material are each scored to denne both of the alternatively usable iiap sections located as described whereby the diiferently located flap sections of the respective auxiliary side panel sections are adapted for an alternative use depending upon the particular splint form required.

The sheet of material is preferably formed of cardboard, paper board, ber board, or like material of sufficient stiffness and thickness to provide adequate support; for, and immobilization of, the injured part, yet sufciently pliant and flexible that the splint maybe transported in flat condition and readily formed to the desired shape upon the scene of the casualty. The various panel sections are adapted for hinge movement with respect to each other and are preferably scored to define subpanel sections, each of which likewise is adapted for hinge movement with respect to its v'adjacent subpanel section whereby, for example, the sheet of material may readily be folded along the scores and, by the use of one of the particular flap sections, made adaptable for assuming a splint form applicable to the upper arm, forearm, leg, ankle or foot, or by use of other alternative flap sections made adaptable for use alternative- ,ly as a splint form for splinting the back or neck of an injured person.

Other objects, advantages and features of novelty will appear as the description of the invention proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the splint blank in its initial flat condition scored to define the various panel and flap sections.

. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sheet of material comprising the splint of the invention having been cut along certain of the scores provided, for the purpose of enabling the splint blank to assume one of the severa1 splint forms to which it is adaptable.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sheet of material comprising the splint of the invention cut Valong certain of the scores in a slightly different manner than illustrated in Figure 2 to enable the .splint blank to assume another of the respective splint forms to which the same is adapted.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the manner of and respective stages in the forming of the splint blank ,into a splint form adaptable for splinting of the arm, forearm and elbow of an injured person.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the manner of and various stages in the forming of the splint blank into a splint form adaptable for splinting the ankle or foot.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the manner of and various stages in forming of the splint blank into a splint form adaptable for splinting the leg.

Figure 10 illustrates the thigh splint.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the manner of forming the splint blank into a splint form adapted for use in splinting the neck,

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the manner of use of the splint of the invention for the purposes of a back splint and/or litter for carrying the injured person.

Now referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the invention, the numeral I generally indicates a flat rectangular sheet of pliant material of sufficient thickness and stiffness for its intended purpose yet of sufcient flexibility and resilience to enable the same to be bent or folded along the scores provided to enable the same to assume the desired splint form or shape. The said sheet of material may for this purpose comprise cardboard, paper board, liber board, or the like, and the said sheet of material is preferably of greater length than width. Asuitable size for the sheet of material, generally applicable to the formation of the various splint forms which it is capable of assuming may, for example, constitute a sheet of approximately sixteen inches by thirtytwo inches and three-sixteenths inch thick The sheet of material or splint blank I is provided with longitudinal scores, or weakening furrows, preferably ve in number, generally indicated by the numerals 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively, running parallel to one another and lengthwise of the sheet of material I, to provide lines along which the material may be folded so that the various subpanel sections defined by said scores 2, 3, 4, 5 and G may have hinge movement relative to its adjacent subpanel section.

The sheet of material is further provided with heavier transverse scores 'I and 8 extending transversely of the sheet of material I and of the scores 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the score 'l extending from the marginal side edge 9 of the sheet of material inwardly to the score designated 3 and the score 8 extending from the opposite marginal side edge I0 of the sheet of material inwardly to the score 5, the scores 'I and 8 being in alignment transversely of the sheet of material I.

The sheet of material is provided with a second set of transverse scores II and I2 paralleling the scores 'I and 8 and in alignment transversely of the sheet I, said scores II and I2 each being about half the length of the scores 'I and 8 and extending across only one of the subpanel sections defined by the scores 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the score II extending from the marginal side edge 9 of the sheet of material inwardly to the score designated 2 and the score I2 extending from the marginal side edge I0 of the sheet of material inwardly to the score 6.

Intermediate the first two sets of transverse scores is provided a third set of transverse scores respectively designated I3 and I4 extending transversely of the sheet of material and in alignment transversely of said sheet of material, said scores I3 and I4 paralleling the scores 1, 8, II and I2.

The sheet of material is further provided with heavy longitudinal scores I5 and I6 running;I lengthwise of the sheet of material, paralleling the previously mentioned longitudinal scores 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the score I5 coinciding with a portion of the score 3 and the score I6 coinciding with a portion of the score 5.

The sheet of material is adapted to be severed along the scores 1, 8, II, I2, I5 and I6 and when the sheet of material is severed along the scores 1, 8, I5 and I6, as illustrated inl Figure 2, the flap section II, bounded by the scores I, I5 and I3, is adapted to be folded for hinge movement along the score I3 as the hinge axis and the ap section I8, bounded by the scores 8, I6 and I4,

i. is adapted for hinge movement along the score I4 as the hinge axis. W'herlV the sheet of material I is severed along the scores 1, 8, II and I2, as illustrated in Figure 3, the ap section I9, bounded by the scores I I and 2 and marginal edge 40, is adapted for hinge movement along the score 2 as the hinge axis and the flap section 20, bounded by the scores I2 and 6, and marginal edge 40, is adapted for hinge movement along theV score 6 as the hinge axis.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the var- `ious scores provided, as above described, define respective panel and nap sections as follows: The portion of the sheet of material bounded by the scores 1 and 8, together with interconnecting dotted line 2I and marginal edges Il), 22 and 3 of the sheet of material, may be described as a main panel designated 23; the portion of the main panel 23, bounded by the scores 3 and 5, dotted line 2I and marginal edge 22, of the sheet of material, may be described as the base panel section generally indicated by the numeral 24; the portion of the main panel 23, bounded by scores 1 and 3, and marginal edges 22 and 9 of the material may be defined as a main side panel section generally indicated by rthe numeral 25; the portion of the main panel bounded by the scores 5 and 8 and marginal edges II] and 22 of the sheet of material may be described as a main side panel section indicated by the numeral 26; the portion of the sheet of material, bounded by the scores 3 and 5, marginal edge 40 of the sheet of material and dotted line 2I may be described as the end panel section designated by the numeral 21; the portion of the sheet of material I, bounded by the scores 3 and 1 and marginal edges 9 and 40 may be described as an auxiliary side panel section 28 including the flap sections I1 and I9; and the portion of the sheet of material, bounded by the scores 5 and 8, and marginal edges Ill and 40, may be described as an auxiliary side panel section designated by the numeral 29 including the flap sections IB and 25.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the scores provided define a main panel 23 comprising a base panel section 24 and main side panel l sections 25 and 26, each of the main side panel sections extending from one of opposite sides of the base panel section 24, said main side panel section 25 being adapted for hinge movement relative t the base panel section 24 along the score 3 as a hinge axis, and the main side panel 26 being adapted for hinge movement relative to the base panel section 24 along the score 5 as a hinge axis. The end panel section 21 is adapted for hinge movement relative to base panel section 24 along the dotted line 2I as a hinge axis. The auxiliary side panel section 28 is adapted for hinge movement relative to the end panel section 21 along the score 3 as a hinge axis and the auxiliary side panel section 29 is adapted for hinge movement relative to the end panel section 21 along the score as a hinge axis.

The longitudinal scores 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5 divide the various panel sections into subpanel sections, the respective subpanel sections of the main side panel section 25 being designated 31 and 30, respectively, the subpanel section 31 being defined by the score 2 and marginal side edge 9 and the subpanel section 35 being defined between the scores 2 and 3. Likewise the base panel section 24 is divided into subpanel sections 3l and 32, respectively, subpanel section 3I being defined between scores 3 and 4 and subpanel section 32 being dened between scores 4 and 5. Similarly the main side panel section 26 is divided into subpanel sections 33 and 34, respectively, subpanel section 33 being dened between scores 5 and 6, and subpanel section 34 being defined between score 5 and marginal edge I0.

One face of the sheet of material I is preferably provided with instructions adjacent to and appropriate to the respective scores 1, 8, II, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I6, indicating where the sheet of material I is to be severed and/or where the respective severed portions are to be folded for the purposes of and depending :upon which'of the several splint forms the blank I is to be caused to assume. For example, when it is desired .to utilize the splint for splinting the arm, forearm, elbow, ankle or foot, the sheet of material I will be severed along the scores 1', 8, II and I2 as illustrated in Figure 3. The splint form is identical, for the purposes of simplicity, whether the splint is to be used for splinting the arm, forearm or the elbow and this splint form (severed as indicated in Figure 3) is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 where it is seen that the same basically utilizes the base panel section 24, main side panel sections 25 and 26, each respectively folded to a position at an agle to the base panel section 24 along the hinge axes 3 and 5 respectively, the end panel section 21 folded to a position at substantially right angles with respect to the base panel section 24 along the hinge axis 2l, the auxiliary side panel sections 28 and 29 folded respectively to positions substantially at right angles with respect to the end panel section 21 along the hinge axes 3 and 5 respectively. This splint form of Figures 4 and 5 utilizes the flap sections I9 and 2i] each folded substantially at right angles with respect to its respective auxiliary-side panel vsections 28 or 29, the ap sections I9 and 20 being folded toward one another as indicated best in Figure 4 along their respective hinge axes 2 and. 5 so that in the final condition of Figure 5 the flap sections I and 20 lie substantially parallel to the end panel section 21. In the application of the splint to the arm of the person injured, the base panel section 24 is placed under and supports the forearm and the end panel section 21 lies against the rear of the upper arm. The subpanel sections 31 and 34 are folded inwardly toward one another around their respective hinge axes 2 and 6 so that subpanel section 31 assumes an acute angle with respect to subpanel section 3D and subpanel section 34 assumes an acute angle with respect to subpanel section 33. The victims forearm lies between the inwardly folded subpanel sections 31 and 34 which resiliently engage the sides of the victims forearm arid the latter, being encased in the splint as described, may be bound therein by tying a cloth or cravat 39 completely around the portion of the splint supporting the forearm. The flap sections I9 and 20 are, of course, folded around the front part of the upper arm and part of the splint encasing the upper arm may be firmly secured also by tying a cravat therearound as shown in Figure 5. It will be noted that the flexibility of the engagement of the subpanel sections 31 and 34 with opposite sides of the forearm provide additional advantage in this type of splint in serving to cushion any shock producing blow to which the victims arm might be subject after splinting.

IThe splint form for splinting the ankle or foot as seen in Figures 6 and '1, is substantially the same as shown in Figures l Vand 5 except that due to the fact that the leg and ankle are thicker than the forearm, the main side panel sections 25 and 26 are utilized in a straight-sided manner, the subpanel sections 31 and 34 not being folded in the acute angular relation as in the case of Figures 4 and 5 and the end panel section 21 being folded relative to the base panel section 24 in such a manner that the auxiliary side panel sections 28 and 29 lie inwardly instead of outwardly of the main side panel sections 25 and 26.

In the case of the leg splint shown in Figures 8 and 9 the splint blank or sheet of material I is not severed along any of the scores but is simply folded around the leg with the base panel section and end panel section utilized as a continuous base part positioned at the rear of the leg and the panel sections 25 and 28 forming one continuous side section and the panel sections 26 and 29 forming the other continuous side section. For the purposes of a thigh splint the splint of the invention is utilized, as shown in Figure 10, in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 and an additional splint blank I is used around the thigh, the additional splint being indicated at 38.

For the purposes of splinting either the neck .or the back, the splint form is the same, being of slightly diierent form from the form assumed 'for the purposes of the splints illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive. For the purposes of the splint form designed for application to the back or neck, the splint blank or sheet of material I `is severed along the scores 1, 3, I5 and I6, as illustrated in Figure 2. Basically this splint form utilizes the main panel designated as a whole by the numeral 23 as a flat or slightly dished panel adapted to engage the victims back, the end panel section 2l not folded but extending in substantially the same plane as the plane of the main panel up behind the victims neck, the auxiliary side panel sections 28 and 29 being folded along their respective hinge axes 3 and 6 inwardly toward each other to engage the sides of the Vic- .tims head, and the flap sections II and I8 being folded outwardly along their respective hinge axes I3 and I4 so as to rest on the victims shoulders as seen best in Figures 11 and l2-whereby said ilat sections I'I and I8 serve to support the splint in place upon the victims body. Cravats or ties 4I will be bound around the victims body and the splint to secure the latter supportingly in place.

The splint form and method of application just described will be sufl'icient for the purposes of splinting the neck for certain neck and head injuries. When the victims back is injured the same splint form and procedure may be used as described in connection with splinting of the neck and additionally one or more splint blanks of approximately the size of the blank I may be utilized in flat condition in overlapped relation with respect to the main panel portion 23 of the splint form applied to the upper back and neck of the victim, in the manner indicated in Figures 13 and 14 particularly, whereby to extend the support of the upper back and neck splint to completely immobilize the victims neck, back and legs, the additional splint blank utilized under the conditions of Figures 13 and 14 being indicated at 35 in said figures. It will be readily understood that the manner of application of the splint as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 may be advantageously employed as a litter for transporting the victim by the use of ties or cravats 42 extending around the victim and attached to a pole 36 for carrying the same.

Preferably the illustrations of the various splint forms and the manner of application of same to various conditions or injuries, as embodied in Figures 4 to 14, inclusive, may be incorpora-ted directly on the face of the splint blank I upon which are provided the various scores and the instructions for the respective scores adjacent and appropriate thereto (such instructions being shown on one face of the splint blank in Figure 1) From the foregoing it will be apparent that the splint construction of the invention provides a lvery simple, inexpensive and efficient surgical splint capable of being transported in at conditionand of being folded into various splint forms following the very simple instructions and requiring no previous skill or experience of the layman employing same. It will also be apparent that the invention provides a single unitary structure comprising a surgical splint blank scored to dene the various panel and ap sections above described, which structure is applicable to the whole range of conditions requiring splinting so that a single unitary splint structure is applicable to and useful for many different splinting purposes.

It will furthermore be seen that the construction of the invention provides, in a single unitary splint, two basic splint forms, one generally applicable to splinting the arm, forearm, elbow, ankle and foot and the other applicable for splinting the neck and back, both of which splint forms basically utilize a main pane1 sectioncomprising a base panel section and optionally usable main side panel section, an end panel section, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter embodying one or the other of alternatively usable flap sections and preferably embodying both of the alternatively usable flap sections.

It will, of course, be understood that the splint blank of the invention, scored as illustrated in Figure 1 and preferably bearing the instructions thereon as illustrated in said figure and also preferably bearing thereon the illustration of Figures 4 to 14 inclusive, is intended to remain in the flat, unsevered condition of Figure 1, and transported in said condition, until the occasion for its use arises, whereupon the splint blank of Figure 1 may be severed in one of the several alternative ways above described and formed to one of the several ultimate splint forms to which it is adapted, depending upon the particular condition or injury for which it is required to be used.

The splint blank of the invention and the method of scoring and folding the same to define a plurality of basic splint forms and to form a plurality of ultimate splint forms is particularly advantageous in providing an all-purpose splint of unitary structure and in simplifying the practice of splinting by the unskilled layman so that, for instance, he is required to sever the splint blank in one of only two ways, together covering all conditions and he is required to fold the blank to ultimate splint form in a minimum number of ways. For example, the splint blank is caused to assume the ultimate form of Figure 5, regardless of whether the injury is to the upper arm, or whether the injury is to the forearm, or whether the injury is to the elbow, and the ultimate splint form of Figure 5 is applied to the entire arm as shown in said lgure, regardless of what part of the arm is injured, for the purposes of simplicity.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a surgical splint of the class described, a single sheet of pliant material scored to denne a base panel section, main side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the base panel section, an end panel section extending from one end ofthe base panel section, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the end panel section, said auxiliary side panel sections each being scored to dene a flap section at one corner of the sheet of material and adapted to have hinged relation to its respective auxiliary 9 side panel section about an axis extending longitudinally of said sheet.

2. In a surgical splint ci the class described, a single sheet of pliant material scored to define a base panel section, main side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the base panel section, an end panel section extending from one end of the base panel section, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the end panel section, said auxiliary side panel sections each being scored to denne a flap section at one side of its respective auxiliary side panel section adjacent the respective main side panel section, each of said flap sections being adapted to have hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section about an axis extending transversely of said sheet, said auxiliary side panel sections each being scored to dene a second flap section at one corner of the sheet of material, each of said second flap sections being adapted to have hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section about an axis extending longi tudinally of said sheet.

3. A surgical splint o1"- the class described comprising a sheet of pliant material provided with a plurality of parallel scores extending longitudinally oi said sheet and a pair of aligned transverse scores, each of the latter extending from one side edge of the sheet equidistantly inwardly thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal scores, said scores dening a base panel section, main side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the base panel section, an end panel section extending from one end of the base panel section intermediate said transverse scores, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the end panel section and adapted for hinged relation to the latter when the sheet is severed along said transverse scores, said auxiliary side panel sections each being provided with one of a second pair of aligned transverse scores parallel to the first pair of transverse scores, the second transverse score on each auxiiiary side panel section defining a flap section adapted for hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section about said second transverse score when the sheet is severed along the rst transverse scores and longitudinally of the sheet intermediate one of the transverse scores of each of the first and second pairs, said auxiliary side panel sections each being provided with one of a third pair of aligned transverse scores parallel to the other transverse scores and defining, with a respective longitudinal score, a sec- 10 ond flap section adapted for hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section when the sheet of material is severed along the transverse scores of the third pair of the latter.

4. A surgical splint of the class described comprising a sheet of pliant material provided with a plurality of parallel scores extending longitudinally of said sheet and a pair of aligned transverse scores, each of the latter extending from one side edge of the sheet equidistantly inwardly thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal scores, said scores dening a main panel, an end panel section extending from one end of the main panel intermediate said transverse scores, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the end panel section and adapted for hinged relation to the latter when the sheet is severed along said transverse scores, said auxiliary side panel sections each being provided With one of a second pair of aligned transverse scores parallel to the first pair of transverse scores, the second transverse score on each auxiliary side panel section deiining a ap section adapted for hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section about said second transverse score when the sheet is severed along the irst transverse scores and longitudinally oi the sheet intermediate one of the transverse scores of each of the first and second pairs.

5. A surgical splint of the class described comprising a sheet of pliant material provided with a plurality of parallel scores extending longitudinally of said sheet and a pair of aligned transverse scores, each of the latter extending from one side edge of the sheet equidistantly inwardly thereof perpendicular t0 the longitudinal scores, said scores defining a base panel section, main side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the base panel section, an end panel section extending from one end of the base panel section intermediate said transverse scores, and auxiliary side panel sections, each of the latter extending from one of opposite sides of the end panel section and adapted for hinge movement relative to the latter when 5 the sheet is severed along said transverse scores, said auxiliary side panel sections each being provided With one of a second pair of aligned transverse scores parallel to the other transverse scores and defining, with a respective longitudinal score. a ap section adapted for hinged relation to its respective auxiliary side panel section when the sheet of material is severed along the transverse scores of the second pair.

WALTER J. CRAWFORD. 

